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Working With Animal Actors: HPU to Host American Humane Association CEO

Hudson the golden retriever, who appeared on an episode of “Saturday Night Live”

HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 31, 2014 – Ever wondered what it took to get Jinx the cat to flush a toilet in “Meet the Fockers,” or a family of penguins to eat dinner with Jim Carey in “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”? In a presentation hosted by High Point University, Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association, will reveal what it’s like to work with animal actors on set. The event will be held at 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the Francis Auditorium of Phillips Hall. It is free and open to the public; tickets are not required.

Ganzert will discuss and hold a book signing for her recently published book, “Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes with Your Favorite Animal Actors,” relating stories about the trainers, actors, directors and animals involved in creating television and film animal stars.

Joining Ganzert in the presentation will be High Point’s own Susie the dog, the inspiration behind the film “Susie’s Hope” and recipient of the 2014 American Hero Dog award by the American Humane Association. Hudson the golden retriever, who starred as Paul Rudd’s dog in the 2011 film “Our Idiot Brother” and appeared as Mitt Romney’s dog on “Saturday Night Live,” will also make an appearance and perform tricks for the audience.

Before joining the American Humane Association in 2010, Ganzert previously served as deputy director of the donor relations department at The Pew Charitable Trusts. She has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in the areas of philanthropic strategy and charitable giving. Ganzert holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Wake Forest University, and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.